Manager, Standards and Modelling

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is responsible for the safe, reliable, and economic planning and operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System. We provide open and non-discriminatory access to Alberta’s interconnected power grid and also facilitate Alberta’s competitive wholesale electricity market. The AESO strives to foster an inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace where people feel respected and welcomed for who they are, together we deliver high performance and innovative results.

Job Description

If you are a current AESO employee or contractor, please view openings and apply through our internal site at Workday.

Reporting to the Director, Grid Reliability Services, the Manager, Standards and Modelling will lead a team of engineers and analysts that are responsible for establishing and applying the transmission modelling process, calculating Loss Factors on an annual basis, development and support of Alberta Reliability Standards (ARS), and technical input to various ISO Rules.

As a leader in the Standards & Modelling team, you will be at the forefront of the transformation of the electric industry by implementing improvements and changes to modelling practices, continual enhancements to the ARS processes, providing support to stakeholders, and keeping technical requirements up to date.

Your strong people leadership and communication skills will enable you to work effectively with internal and external teams, while also displaying solid analytical and problem-solving skills. You possess the knowledge and understanding of the power system engineering function in the Alberta wholesale electricity market.

This full-time opportunity offers a competitive salary, and a variable pay program. We also have paid vacation and flex time, health and dental benefits, mental health support, a defined contribution pension plan, and learning and development opportunities as part of your overall compensation package. We support a hybrid work environment, where the team is in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Mondays and Fridays are flexible for where you work best.

You will enjoy working with us if:

• You value flexibility to support life and personal needs. We offer a flexible work practice where some weeks may require more onsite presence during key business or operations events.

• You enjoy working in a team of bright professionals, and work and learn in a diverse atmosphere - our team and colleagues have varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

• You thrive in a dynamic environment and seek opportunities for transformative change.

• You leverage your strong communication skills to build collaborative relationships with internal departments, Transmission Facility Owners, Distribution Facility Owners, and Market Participants.

• You work well independently with minimal supervision.

Accountabilities include but are not limited to:

• Enable and develop a team of engineers and analysts ranging from entry-level to specialist; this includes performance management and development planning.

• With overall accountability for Transmission Modelling, ARS Development, and Loss Factor calculations, you will be responsible for leveraging technical subject matter experts within the team:

  • Transmission Modelling:

    • Create and maintain PSSE base cases and study data packages.

    • Create and maintain electromagnetic transient (EMT) models for power system components to support studies conducted by other teams.

    • Review and verify power system models (PSSE and EMT) submitted by Market. Participants to ensure compliance with ISO Rules, ARS, and relevant industry standards, and evaluate model performance.

    • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to improve modelling requirements and practices.

    • Establish and maintain the processes for the development and/or validation of various PSSE and EMT models.

    • Collaborate with the Principal Modeling Engineer and assign resources to identify and implement new/improved modelling requirements and practices.

  • ARS development:

    • Drive process change to enhance ARS lifecycle processes.

    • Prioritization and scheduling of NERC Reliability Standards adoption.

    • Draft ARS and support implementation and the compliance monitoring program.

    • Support or lead stakeholder engagement.

    • Collaborate cross functionally at the AESO throughout the ARS lifecycle.

  • Calculation of AESO’s Loss factor (ISO Rule 501.10) processes including:

    • Annual Loss Factor calculation cycle.

    • Determination of quarterly calibration factor.

    • Lead internal/external stakeholder support.

  • Manage stakeholder request cases from the Request for Information and Waivers & Variances program.

  • Act as a Responsible Member in the Professional Practice Management Plan for system modelling and loss factor calculations.

What you’ll bring to us:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering.

• A member of APEGA (P.Eng.) is preferred.

• Minimum 10 years related experience in the electric transmission industry.

• Comprehensive experience in a leadership and people management position, motivating and developing people.

• Experience leading a team through change.

• Knowledge of transmission system planning and modelling.

• Knowledge of regulatory process for ARS, ISO Rules, and ISO Tariff.

• Strong communication, collaboration, and facilitation skills.

Application deadline: October 30, 2024

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If you are contacted for a pre-screening and/or interview, please advise of any accommodation measures required to enable you to fully participate. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

The Alberta Electric System Operator is unable to accept unsolicited agency resumes.

The Alberta Electric System Operator, and its members, officers, employees and agents (collectively, the "AESO") is committed to protecting personal information provided to it. When you submit your personal information to the AESO for the purpose of pursuing employment with the AESO, the collection, use and disclosure of personal information is in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP Act) of Alberta.

As noted, the AESO is mandated to maintain the safe and reliable operations of the provincial power grid. As part of meeting its obligations, the AESO may require the successful candidate to undergo a criminal background check for the position. This collection of personal information for the purposes of a check will be conducted in accordance with Section 33 of the FOIP Act.